A wall of remembrance reminds visitors at the SANE (Safer Alternatives through Networking and Education) of the growing opioid overdose epidemic in Sacramento County.The organization not only provides clean syringes but also the lifesaving drug naloxone or Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes.Dr. John Bachman has witnessed firsthand the power of the drug."A patient came in by ambulance, literally blue and not breathing, and somebody in the back yelled 'Narcan!'" Bachman said. "They gave him an intermuscular shot of this drug called Narcan, and literally within a second, the patient woke up."In Sacramento, paramedics are using a significant amount of Narcan because of the overdose epidemic from a counterfeit fentanyl pill disguised to look like the painkiller Norco.The antidote is in every EMS vehicle and has been used to save some from the widespread fentanyl overdoses, which have caused 42 overdoses and 10 deaths in Sacramento and Yolo counties over the past two weeks.Narcan is not a new drug, but may become more widely distributed.Rachel Anderson, executive director of SANE, said the center gives away the antidote for free and adds that more people should have it."The more people that have it that are likely to be around an opioid overdose, the fewer people that die," Anderson said. "It's that simple."And CVS stores are also making it easier to get.California is one of 14 states in which CVS allows people to buy naloxone without a prescription.CVS released this statement: "By expanding access to this medication by the use of a physician's standing order for patients without a prescription, we can give more people a chance to get the help they need for recovery and help save lives."Those who wish to get Narcan from a CVS store must complete training at the pharmacy on how to use the drug properly. The average cost of the antidote is $60 to $90.A new opioid task force in Sacramento County has come up with a three-year strategic plan to reduce overdoses, addiction and death.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —

A wall of remembrance reminds visitors at the SANE (Safer Alternatives through Networking and Education) of the growing opioid overdose epidemic in Sacramento County.

The organization not only provides clean syringes but also the lifesaving drug naloxone or Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes.

Advertisement

Dr. John Bachman has witnessed firsthand the power of the drug.

"A patient came in by ambulance, literally blue and not breathing, and somebody in the back yelled 'Narcan!'" Bachman said. "They gave him an intermuscular shot of this drug called Narcan, and literally within a second, the patient woke up."

In Sacramento, paramedics are using a significant amount of Narcan because of the overdose epidemic from a counterfeit fentanyl pill disguised to look like the painkiller Norco.

The antidote is in every EMS vehicle and has been used to save some from the widespread fentanyl overdoses, which have caused 42 overdoses and 10 deaths in Sacramento and Yolo counties over the past two weeks.

Narcan is not a new drug, but may become more widely distributed.

Rachel Anderson, executive director of SANE, said the center gives away the antidote for free and adds that more people should have it.

"The more people that have it that are likely to be around an opioid overdose, the fewer people that die," Anderson said. "It's that simple."

And CVS stores are also making it easier to get.

California is one of 14 states in which CVS allows people to buy naloxone without a prescription.

CVS released this statement: "By expanding access to this medication by the use of a physician's standing order for patients without a prescription, we can give more people a chance to get the help they need for recovery and help save lives."

Those who wish to get Narcan from a CVS store must complete training at the pharmacy on how to use the drug properly. The average cost of the antidote is $60 to $90.

A new opioid task force in Sacramento County has come up with a three-year strategic plan to reduce overdoses, addiction and death.